134 SUN-BIKDS. 



is not the case, since insects form part of their 

 diet. 



The other title of " Sun-Bird " has been given 

 to this radiant little creature because of the won- 

 derful effect of the sunlight on its feathers. 



They change colour every moment, and flash 

 and sparkle in a manner not to be described. 

 This effect is produced by the bird itself. It has 

 the power of changing the position of its feathers 

 by a movement of its muscles, and so throwing 

 them into a different light, or exhibiting a portion 

 of the surface hitherto concealed. 



The Sun-Bird does not feed on the wing, or 

 hover over the flower, as the Humming- Bird does. 

 It settles on the petals, and puts in its long bill ; 

 or it clambers about and suspends itself in the 

 attitude most favourable for getting access to the 

 flower. The bill has some tiny notches or teeth, 

 so small that they cannot be seen except through 

 a microscope. This shows that the prey has to 

 be seized and held, and that the bird does not feed 

 entirely on honey. It is true that the long beak 

 is plunged into the chalice of the flower, as into a 



